How Do Size and Weight Affect Vehicle Occupants in an Accident?

How Do Size and Weight Affect Vehicle Occupants in an Accident?

While many people choose the type of vehicle they drive based on factors like fuel economy and passenger capacity, safety should be a top consideration—especially in the event of a crash. A vehicle’s size and weight play a major role in determining how much protection it offers during a collision. Heavier, larger vehicles often provide greater safety for their occupants, while smaller cars tend to expose drivers and passengers to more severe impact forces.

If you were injured in an accident involving a significantly larger or heavier vehicle—such as an SUV, pickup truck, or commercial vehicle—you may face serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and long-term recovery. A skilled car accident lawyer in Florida can help you understand your legal rights and pursue the full compensation you’re entitled to.

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Are Larger or Smaller Cars Safer?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a bigger, heavier vehicle provides better protection in case of a crash than a smaller, lighter vehicle, absent any other differences between the vehicles. This is because there is more distance from the front of the vehicle to the occupants' location in the vehicle in larger vehicles than there is in smaller vehicles.

Additionally, occupants are subject to less force in heavier vehicles because they tend to continue moving forward in the event of a collision. The IIHS reports that crash deaths decline as vehicle size increases. For example, there were 459 driver deaths per million vehicles registered for vehicles that were 75 square feet in length, compared to 233 driver deaths per million vehicles registered for vehicles that were 115 square feet in length for the most recent four-year period reported.

Common Injuries Based On Vehicle Size

The size of a vehicle plays a significant role in the types of injuries occupants may suffer during a crash. Here’s a breakdown of the common injuries associated with different vehicle sizes:

1. Injuries in Smaller Vehicles

Smaller cars, due to their compact size and lighter weight, often experience more severe impact forces in crashes. The most common injuries include:

• Whiplash: This injury, affecting the neck and spine, is common in rear-end collisions. Smaller vehicles are more likely to be pushed forcefully by larger vehicles, resulting in whiplash injuries.
• Head Injuries: The smaller the vehicle, the less space between the occupants and the impact zone, this can lead to head injuries, ranging from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBI), especially if airbags fail or seatbelts are improperly used.
• Chest and Abdominal Injuries: Due to the compact space in smaller vehicles, the occupants may be more likely to suffer rib fractures, lung contusions, or internal bleeding, particularly in frontal crashes where the force directly impacts the vehicle’s front end.
• Leg and Knee Injuries: In smaller vehicles, the force of a crash can push the dashboard or steering wheel into the occupants, leading to leg and knee injuries, particularly in head-on collisions.

2. Injuries in Larger Vehicles

Larger vehicles, such as trucks and SUVs, are generally safer for their occupants due to their size and structural strength. However, when these vehicles are involved in accidents with smaller vehicles, their mass and design characteristics can contribute to more severe injuries for people in the smaller vehicle. Common injuries in larger vehicles include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): While larger vehicles themselves offer more protection, their higher ride height in crashes can cause them to hit smaller vehicles above the bumper, often leading to head injuries for occupants of the smaller vehicle.
• Spinal Injuries: Larger vehicles can sometimes cause significant damage to the smaller vehicle’s structure, which increases the risk of spinal cord injuries for the occupants of the smaller vehicle. This is particularly true in rear-end or rollover accidents.
• Fractures: Occupants of smaller vehicles are at a higher risk of suffering broken bones due to the impact forces transferred from larger vehicles. The heavy momentum of a large vehicle can cause multiple fractures in the arms, legs, and ribs of those in smaller vehicles.

3. Injuries in Commercial Vehicles (Trucks)

Occupants of smaller vehicles involved in crashes with these trucks often face severe, life-threatening injuries:

• Crush Injuries: Due to the size of commercial trucks, crashes can cause extensive damage to smaller vehicles, leading to crush injuries where body parts are pinned between the vehicle and the truck.
• Amputations: In some severe cases, truck accidents can result in the loss of limbs due to the sheer force exerted during a collision or by being trapped in the vehicle.
• Fatalities: Unfortunately, accidents involving commercial trucks often result in fatal injuries for those in smaller vehicles. The size and weight disparity between the truck and a passenger vehicle increase the likelihood of fatal collisions.

Other Factors that Affect the Outcome of a Crash

Other factors can affect the outcome of a crash, including:

• The age of the vehicle – Newer cars tend to be safer than older model cars, according to the IIHS.
• Safety features – Crash protection features like airbags, active head restraints, and automatic emergency braking can minimize injuries.
• Seatbelt use – Seatbelts save over 15,000 lives every year.
• Speed – Crashes involving higher speeds tend to cause more serious injuries and deaths than collisions at lower speeds.
• Maintenance – The condition of the vehicle, such as whether the brakes activate quickly or the tires are properly inflated can also impact the outcome of a crash.
• Angle – The angle that both vehicles are at can impact the type of injuries occupants sustain in car crashes.

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Types of Vehicles Men and Women Choose and Impact on Crash Safety

Women are up to 28 percent more likely to be killed in a traffic accident and up to 73 percent more likely to be seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident than their male counterparts, according to the IIHS. The IIHS largely attributes this discrepancy to the fact that women more often drive smaller and lighter vehicles while men are more likely to drive larger and heavier vehicles.

Does Vehicle Weight Affect Insurance?

Yes, vehicle weight can influence car insurance premiums, especially when it comes to coverage types and potential liability. Heavier vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans are typically considered safer for their occupants, but they also pose a greater risk to others on the road due to their potential to cause more severe damage in a crash.

Insurance providers consider several factors related to vehicle weight:

• Damage Potential: Heavier vehicles can cause more extensive damage in an accident, which can result in higher liability coverage costs.
• Repair Costs: Larger vehicles may require more expensive parts or labor after a crash, which can increase collision and comprehensive insurance rates.
• Passenger Safety: Because occupants of larger vehicles tend to fare better in crashes, personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payment premiums may be slightly lower for the vehicle owner—but higher for others involved.

Compensation You Can Get After A Car Accident

If you've been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to several forms of compensation.

Here are the most common types of compensation available in a personal injury claim:

• Medical Expenses: This includes hospital bills, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical treatments related to the accident.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries prevented you from working, you may be able to recover compensation for the income you lost during your recovery.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries result in long-term or permanent disability, you could receive damages for reduced future earning potential.
• Pain and Suffering: These non-economic damages compensate for physical pain, emotional distress, trauma, and decreased quality of life.
• Property Damage: You may be reimbursed for vehicle repairs or replacement, as well as any damaged personal property.
• Punitive Damages: In cases involving gross negligence or reckless behavior—such as DUI or speeding—punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault driver and deter similar conduct.

Our Attorneys Are Here to Help

While innovation in the automotive industry has led to significant advanced safety technologies, it has not been able to prevent all collisions. If you were injured in a car crash, the personal injury attorneys at Holliday Karatinos Law Firm, PLLC are here to help. We have over 50 years of combined legal experience and have recovered more than $125 million for our clients. Contact us today for a free case review. 

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